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Warning Signs of Addiction

Substance or behavior may be an addiction if...

It is the #1 priority in day to day living
It compromises physical health
It brings about depression, black-outs, or memory gaps
It can be linked to the breakdown in any relationship
Others remarks about it are annoying
More and more is needed to feel normal, much less a "rush"
It leads to feelings of guilt or shame
There are occasional thoughts of the need to cut down
The need to continue is rationalized
Self-discipline is poor or absent
Using is done alone
Stopping causes anxiety and panic, tremors, sweating or pain
There are observable, significant changes in behavior
There are observable changes in peer group
There are observable changes in eating and/or sleeping habits

A substance must cause the release of dopamine to be considered addictive. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with the pleasures system of the brain, providing feelings of pleasure, in turn providing reinforcement to repeat behaviors leading to pleasure. The most common addictive substances are:

Alcohol
Nicotine
Marijuana
Crystal Meth
Crack and Cocaine
Ecstasy
Heroin

"I was caught in the snare of addiction. My every waking hour was about how I was going to get my next flap of cocaine. I didn't make a habit of sleeping with johns for money, like some girls did, I just got shopping lists from my dealers and stole whatever they wanted. I was too screwed up to realize this was just another form of prostitution; I just sold every moral or value I had instead of my body"

- Jenifer, Scottsdale (AZ)

Drug and alcohol rehabilitation (rehab) is an umbrella term for the processes of medical and psychotherapeutic addiction treatment. The ultimate goal of a drug and alcohol rehab is to enable the individual to achieve lasting abstinence from drug and alcohol use. The short term goal of a drug and alcohol rehab is to help the individual through detox and withdrawal from drugs and alcohol.

Paths to Wellness